January 25, 2009

Of the other two single bedrooms, one was occupied by a woman who had been "lifted" that day. I never saw her, only the bed with the covers undone and a light on. The third bedroom was unoccupied.

Eight pm. On the early side for a normal dinner but wasn’t it a bit late for people who were supposed to stay light the night before an operation? At five minutes to eight, a knock on the outer door. Dinner? No, a bristling blonde French woman whose hair was tied back in a chignon. "Bonjour. Comment allez-vous?" (Hello. How are you?)